Yarn-advancing reel



Oct; 7, 1947. A. L. EWING 2,428,703

YARN ADVANCING REEL Filed Feb. 1, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 iNVENTOR. AL l M/L. EWING A TTORNEY.

Oct. 7, 1947. A. L. EWING 2,428,703

YARN ADVANCING REEL Filed Feb. 1, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 [NV EN TOR. A1. VIN LEW/N6 M/Qizzq A 7 TOR/V5) Patented Oct. 7, 1947 sp n L. n i g ttiehurcndl Yasasl ifinq du Pont de Neniijnrs'QrOotn fil yi'w H Del corporation 't'ifiDel'aWare ApplicationF-ebruary 1, min -serial in. autism 40mins. (ct 28 41.6)

This invention relates toan apparatus'for advancing yarns. More particularly it relates to-a yarn-advancing reel for continuously'and progressively advancin a yarn in the form of a helix.

Copending application, Serial No..633,'339, flied December 7, 1945,1or Yarn-advancing-reel, discloses a rotary reel having a plurality 'ot yamsupporting bars, each of which bars is movedaxially in the direction of the yarn travel over the reel whereby the yarn carried thereby is progressively and continuously advanced over the reel and, when each bar reaches the limit of its axial movement in the direction of the yarn travel, it is retracted (moved radially inwardly). from the yarn and moved axially in a direction opposite to the yarn travel and radially outwardly to bring it into yarn-supporting position. The ax ial (longitudinal) movement is imparted directly to the yarn-supporting bars by a cam mechanism and the radial movement oi the bars is obtained by fluid actuated pistons to which the yarn-carrying bars are connected.

An object of this invention is to provide a new and improved yarn-advancing reel which eflectively and continuously advances a yarn along the length thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide a pneumatic advancing reel having a minimum number or working parts.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a yarn-advancing reel wherein the radial movement of the yarn-supporting bars is obtained by pneumatic actuated means which do not include pistons.

Other and additional objects of this invention will appear hereinafter The objects oi the invention are accomplished. in general. by winding yarn in the form of a helix onto a rotary reel having a plurality of yarn-supporting bars, each of which bars is moved axially in the direction of the yarn travel over the reel. whereby the yarn carried thereby is progressively and continuously advanced over the reel and, when each bar reaches the limit of its axial movement in the direction of the yarn travel, it is retracted moved radially inwardly) from the yarn and moved axially in a direction opposite to the yarn travel and radially outwardly to bring it into yarn-supporting po ition.

Each yarn-supporting bar is secured to a slide rod and axial longitudinal) movement is imparted to the yarrvsupporting bar by a cam l'li CilHillSili cooperating with the resp Slide rod. Each yarn-supporting bar is rigidly secured to an inflatable tube which is also rigidly secured 2 to the sliderod, A rotary valve controls the inflation and deflation of each of the tubes at predetermined -times. The me chanisms ot the. reel are so interrelatedthat, when a tube 'is in deflated' or'collapsed state, the tnreadauppertm bar carried thereby isout-or yarwccntdctidg position and, when a tubets in the iriflated state.

the respective yarn-supporting bar-will be in yarn contacting position.

The inflation and dfl'ation of the tube, the ro tation oi' the ree'lyan'd the axial movements-ct the bars are operated intimed'relatlonship to effect the operations in the desired sequence.

The details and manner of practicing the invention will become clear from the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section oi a yarnadvancing reel-embodying the principles of this invention;

Figure 2 is a section taken on lines 2-2 of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a section taken on lines 38 of Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designat like parts, the relerence numeral l0 designates the main supporting axle of the reel which, in the form illustrated, is horizontally disposed. One end of the axle i9 is appropriately secured to an end plate l2 and the other end is secured to a guide plate It. The end plate i2 is provided with a plurality of hushed holes l6 arranged in spaced relationship adjacent the circumference thereof. The guide plat H is also provided with hushed holes l8 arranged in spaced relationship adjacent the circumference of the guide plate I4. The holes I8 and iii are in aligned relationship and a slide rod 20 is slidabiy positioned in each pair of aligned holes is and 18.

As shown in Figure 1, each slide rod 20 extends beyond the guide plate It and is positioned in a bushed hole 24, a plurality of such holes 24 being arranged in spaced relationship adjacent the circumference of an end plate 25. Each hole 24 in the end plate 26 is in alignment with corresponding hole l5 and IS in end plate I! and guid plate It respectively.

As will hereafter appear, each slide rod 20 is moved axially oi the reel and, accordingly, each series of the respective holes [6. l8 and N, in addition to supporting the rod 20 positioned therein, also permit sliding movement therein. It is to be noted that a pin 21 in each end plate sesame spaced relationship to the end plate I! and the guide plate H to the bar 32 hereinafter described. Each tube 10 is at times in the collapsed ordeilated stateand when in such condition, 32 secured thereto is out or yam-contacting position. However, when a tube Ills in the. m flated state. the yarn-contacting bar It. securedthereto will be in yarn-contacting position. The mean data a at, predetermined times. will: now be de, scribed.

Each tube 39. is, providedi with. an. omn nl 111 which. mmuni tes. with. midi of? a, passage respective slide rod ll; mothereach of the saccharine-tease. a communicates with a. ll imthe nameplate Ila Mffltdryirahro 4 s anprep iat lrmounted io the guide pla e-z H. The rotary valve ll is; providedrwithocte-- centric supply-and exhaust U which designated-by therei'erencemumemis W. and respectively; Compressed supplied to. the outer end ofthe supn xpessege from any uit able source (not shown). The supply passage 4i communicates with an air I...

The rotaryvalvellhcs-mnort .521: which be brought, upon rotation ol the valve 4!; into position to establish communication between the air chamber and the New 3%, and, when the port i so positioned; the compresgedzair will inflate the tubes 30 which are in communl cation with the air chemberandmove'themradially outwardly into yarn-contacting position. The rotary valve also hasaa port which can. be brought into position upon rotation of thevalve 42 to establish communication between the passage 38. and the exhaust 4Q whereby the air will pass from the tube 30; the tube willxdefiatm or collapse. and the yarn-supporting bar carried; thereby will be moved radially inwardly out oi. yarn-contactin position. Inthe form shown in the draw ngs, the rotary valve.- Landtheports: 52 and 54 thereof are so designed that the barin the. uppermost positionwill be-out.,o yarn contacting position while all the other bars Willi be in yarn-contacting position.

The rotary valve Ills rotgted by which, is secured to a housing fil otgthe. rotary valve and is. in cooperative relsiieosh nwith-la. driven gear (not shown).

A gear is rotatably mounted on a sleeveJgdisposed on the valve housing 58. The gear-69y. is secured by a lag bolt 6 to the end plate 2'; and is in cooperative relationship with a drivengear (not shown).

The housing 58 is mounted in asleeve 10 carried by a pillow block 12 which, in turn, is carried on a support "H oi'-the machine. The end plate I2 is secured at one end ota shaft 80 which is rotatably mounted in a sleeve 82 carried by a pillow block. 84 which, in turn, is mounted on a support 86 of the machine.

From the foregoing description. it is apparent that, upon rotation of the gear fill, rotation will permit the radial movement oh the yarw-supportingbar;

whereby each tube ll is inflated and debe imparted to the end plate 28, which movement will be transferred through the slide bars 20 to the end plate I2 and the guide plate It. Rotation of the gear 58 will impart rotation to the rotary valve 42.

In order to impart axial movement to each of the bars 29. and hence the yam-supportin bars 32, each bar 29 is provided with a cam follower Oil whichicooperates with a cam 92 mounted on the rotating housing It. the cam being of such a shape and design that it will impart axial movement to the rods 20 in the direction of the yarn travel when the yamrsupp rting bars 32 are in yarn-contacting position and in the opposite direction when the yarn-supporting bars 32 are out of yarn-contacting position. A housing It encloses the cam mechanism.

In operation. compressed air is introduced 7 through the supply 46 into the air chamber ill a; scan 1 i whereby all 01' the tubes ll, except that one at the uppermost position in the reel, are connected through'the passages 88. SI and 82 to the pressure chamber 50. with the result that each of such tubes 30: wiil'beintlated and the yarn-supporting bars carried thereby will be in radially expanded position so that they will be inyernsupporting position with the yarn whichis wound in a helix-on the reel to a point where it is drawn off then-eel. The reel drive gear ill and the valve drive gear 56 are actuated to rotate the parts oi the reel respectively driven thereby. During rotation of the reel, due to the coupontion or the cam follower GI and the rotating cam 92, each rod 20 carrying a yam-supportingbar 82 in yarn-contacting position is moved axially inthe direction oi the yarn travel over the reel. whereby the yarn carried thereby is advanced over the reel. When a bar 2. reaches the limit of its axial movement in the direction of yarn travel over the reel, the rotary valve has beenrotated to a position so that the port 54 will connect the tube 30 with the exhaust ll and the tube will collapse or deflate. whereby the yarn-supporting bar will be moved radially inwardly and out of yarn-contacting position. When the yarn-supporting bar 32 is out of-yarncontacting position, the slide rod 20 will be. due to the shape of the cam 82. moved axially in a direction opposite to the direction of travel of the yarn over the reel, and at the limit of this movement, due to the rotation oi the parts previously mentioned, the tube will again be inflated. This cycle is repeated and the yarn is continuously and progressively advanced over the reel.

The gears 56 and iii are of such diameters and driven at such rates that the parts operated thereby will be moved in timed relationship and at the required speeds to perform the respective functions in the sequence described.

In the embodimentherein specifically described. only one bar is returned at a time. Such C0111 the yarn-carrying surface of the bars is straight.

" since it reduces wear of the parts but makes each advancing cycle long and extend over one or more revolutions of the reel. However. if the reel is of a type which is designed to stretch the yarns or relax their tension at desired points by means of tapered bars, it is desirable to have more than one bar returning from the yarn sheet so as to reduce the advancing cycle to very short intervals. or, in other words, increase the frequency to several advancing cycles per revolution of the reel in order to minimize sudden tension variations at a tapered part of the reel. Thus. in general, the invention is not restricted as to the number of bars returned at one time and the times therefor.

The exhaust port 54 can be made of such width that it will extend over a portion of two or more passages 38. In such a construction, the high pressure in a tube is reduced in advance of complete exhaustion so that complete exhaustion of the tube is eflected in the short interval elapsing on high speed operation of the reel.

Though it is preferred to rotate the cam 92 so that its peripheral speed is different from that of the reel, this is not necessary since the cam 92 can be stationary.

The tube can be made of any suitable flexible and inflatable material, Neoprene, rubber, etc., are illustrative examples of materials of which the tubes can be made.

Normally, the tube will deflate or collapse when it is connected to the exhaust. In order to definitely assure collapsing, the exhaust can be connected to an appropriate exhausting mechanism, such as suction, vacuum pump, etc. The inflating medium can be any appropriate fluid, either gaseous such as air, etc., or liquid such as water, oil, etc.

Though the reel has been described as operating in a horizontal position and supported at both ends, it can be of a cantilever design.

The invention is applicable to yarn composed of continuous filaments, staple fibers, rope, ribbons, and other similar articles of continuous length.

Since it is obvious that many changes and modifications can be made in the above-described details without departing from the nature and spirit of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited thereto except as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1, In an apparatus for advancing yarn and the like in the form of a helix, a reel, means to rotate said reel, a plurality of yarn-supporting bars arranged circumferentially or the reel, an inflatable tube cooperating with each of said yarn-supporting bars whereby upon inflation and deflation of said tube the respective yarn-supporting bar will be moved into and out of yarn-contacting position, means to inflate and deflate each of said tubes at predetermined times, and means to move each of said yarn-supporting bars axially in the direction of the yarn travel when the yarn-supporting bars are in yarn-contacting position and in the opposite direction when out of yarn-contacting position.

2. In an apparatus for advancing yarn and the like in the form of a helix, a reel, means to rotate said reel, a plurality of yarn-supporting bars arranged circumferentially of the reel, an

inflatable tube cooperating with each of said yarn-supporting bars whereby upon inflation and deflation of said tube the respective yarn-supporting bar will be moved into and out of yarn-eontacting position, means to inflate and deflate each of said tubes, a rotary valve to control the inflation and deflation at predetermined times, means to rotate said valve and means to move each of said yarn-supporting bars axially in the direction of the yarn travel when the yarn-supporting bars are in yarn-contacting position and in the opposite direction when out of yarn-contacting position,

3. In an apparatus for advancing yarn and the like in the form of a helix, a reel, means to rotate said reel, a plurality of yarn-supporting bars arranged circumferentially of the reel, each of the respective yarn-supporting bars being secured to a flexible tube which is in turn secured to a slide rod, means to inflate and deflate each of said tubes at predetermined times whereby the yarnsupporting bars secured to said tubes will be moved into and out of yarn-contacting positions respectively, means to move each of said slide rods axially in the direction of the yarn travel when the yarn-supporting bars are in yarn-contacting position and in the opposite direction when out of yarn-contacting position.

4. In an apparatus for advancing yarn and the like in the form of a helix, a reel, means to rotate said reel, a plurality of yarn-supporting bars arranged circumferentially of the reel, each of the respective yarn-supporting bars being secured to a flexible tube which is in turn secured to a slide rod, means to inflate and deflate each of said tubes whereby the yarn-supporting bars secured to said tubes will be moved into and out of yarn-contacting positions respectively, a rotary valve to control the inflation and deflation at predetermined times, means to rotate said valve and means to move each of said slide rods axially in the direction of the yarn travel when the yarnsupporting bars are in yarn-contacting position and in the opposite direction when out of yarncontacting position.

ALVIN L. EWING.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the flle of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,052,125 Boos Feb. 4, 1913 2,352,868 Tarbox July 4, 1944 2,378,211 Furness June 12, 1945 2,287,517 Ewing June 23, 1942 2,056,197 Knebusch Oct. 6, 1936 

